Author of: "Made to Break: Technology and Obsolescence in America"
Retrieved from: http://www.podcastdirectory.com/podshows/1569965
Related pamphlet from 1932 attributed as being the first reference to the term "planned obsolescence" available HERE.
Wikipedia has an excellent article on Planned Obsolescence available HERE. (Opens in new window)
The following is a definition of Planned Obsolescence retrieved from: Investopedia on 21 Sep 2009
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What Does Planned Obsolescence Mean?
A manufacturing decision by a company to make consumer products in such a way that they become out-of-date or useless within a known time period. The main goal of this type of production is to ensure that consumers will have to buy the product multiple times, rather than only once. This naturally stimulates demand for an industry's products because consumers have to keep coming back again and again.
Products ranging from inexpensive light bulbs to high-priced goods such as cars and buildings are subject to planned obsolescence by manufacturers and producers.
